What are the best bike-friendly cities in the US?
Cycling is an enjoyable and healthy activity for recreation and commuting or just getting around town. Here are the most bike-friendly cities in the US.
More and more Americans are cycling these days according to the latest biennial report by People for Bikes on US bicycling participation. The organization whose mission is to get more people riding bikes and more often found in their study that 108 million people over the age of 2 took their bicycle out for a spin in 2022, or roughly 34% of the population.
Cities across the United States have been working to improve their infrastructure to make cycling easier and safer not just for recreational purposes but also focusing on residents using bikes for transportation. 54% of respondents to the survey said they now used their bicycles to get from point A to B, more than ever before.
What are the best bike-friendly cities in the US?
Getting people out of their cars and on to bikes is seen as a critical aspect of making cities more sustainable. This is achieved not just through reducing ones carbon footprint, estimated to be as much as 67% less compared to driving, but also encourages community and interconnected infrastructure.
Improved cycling infrastructure, like bike paths and dedicated, protrcted lanes, will hopefully alleviate a growing concern among cyclists about being hit by a motor vehicle which jumped from 47% in 2020 to 53% in People for Bikes latest report. Here are the cities that come at the top of the list according to Redfin:
- Minneapolis, MN
- Portland, OR
- San Francisco, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Seattle, WA
- Long Beach, CA
- Washington, D.C.
- Boston, MA
- New York, NY
Minneapolis comes in at the top of this list despite its famous near-artic winters thanks to its “extremely flat terrain, interconnected parks and robust cycling infrastructure,” states Redfin. The City of Lakes has 16 miles of protected bikeways as well as 98 miles of bike lanes.
The second-most bikeable city on the list, Portland, has the highest number of bicycle commuters, almost 6%, OF ANY CITY on Redfin’s list. The City of Roses has 400 miles of bikeways and its is working to enhance equity and accessibility across the metro area.
The most walkable city in the US is the number three for cycling “known for its interconnected bikeways, trails, parks and infrastructure,” says Redfin. Throughout San Francisco cyclists, no matter their ability, will find safe, bike-friendly routes to enjoy.
Insider Monkey for their part compiled a list of the ‘15 Most Bike Friendly Cities in the US’ which included several of the above. However, that outlet’s top five were San Francisco, CA; Davis, CA; Fort Collins, CO; Boulder, CO and San Diego, CA.
Their compilation was created using a consensus method of rankings across several websites including LawnStarter, TowerElectric Bikes, Ecowatch, Travel Channel, and The Travel.